How Well do you Know Jimmy White? A Q&A with the Whirlwind

We are all fans of Jimmy, right? But, how well do you know Jimmy White? Much has been written over the years about the ‘whirlwind’, but even the most die hard fan won’t know some of what’s revealed to us today. Jimmy’s long time manager and friend, Kevin Kelly, asks Jimmy the questions, so expect a bit of banter!

Personal/Early Years

What is your full name?

“James Warren White, named after my Grandfather”

Where and when were you born?

“I was born in Tooting, South London, in 1962”

What is your earliest childhood memory?

“My Dad getting a red Transit van, when I was 7yrs old”

What was your favourite meal as a child?

“Pie and mash”

As a child did you ever want to be anything other than a snooker player? Train driver? Astronaut?

“I always wanted to be a snooker player, from the age of 9”

If you could be 10 years old again, just for one day, what would you do?

“Ride my bike”

Snooker

When/Where did you first pick up a cue?

“I first picked up a cue in Balham when i was 9 years old”

Who did you look up to, aspire to be like, in snooker?

“Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins”

How old were you when you got your first 100 break?

“13, I made the national newspaper, got into the Daily Mirror, kids make 147’s at that age now”

Do you remember the first time you played a frame for money? Did you win? How much?

“It was for… £50, which in them days was a red ten bob note. You’d remember that Kevin, you’ve probably still got some?” I actually have one ironed. “You’ve probably still got a white fiver you, haven’t you?” I’ve got a ten shilling note “Have you? Red, yes. It was ten shillings, I was about 13”. and did you win? “Of course.” Sorry for asking that!

When did you realise you were good enough to become a snooker pro?

“Very young, I was what you call a boy wonder, there was a few boy wonders around and I remember going to Neasden snooker club when I was 13, I’d just won the boy’s championship’s and the great, late, Ronnie Gross invited me over to his club and the word got round about me and actually Willie Thorne drove from Leicester to have a look. So, thirteen I knew I was going to be a world beater.”

What was the first snooker competition you ever won, at any level?

“I would say it was the boys championships, at 13” (Kevin clarifies it was the English boys championships)

What is/was your favourite single match victory, and why?

“It was definitely the UK championships, I beat John Parrot by 3 frames but It was 1 each all the way to 14 each and I won 17-14.”

If you could replay any shot in your career which one would it be? Black versus Hendry is what most people would guess, maybe you have another?

“No, I would agree. You know, I just twitched at that black, hit it too quick.”

Do you believe in ‘talent’, or being ‘gifted’, or do you think that hard work gets you to the top?

“Well, I think to be talented you have to put the hard work in to find out if you’ve got any talent. Talent doesn’t win alone, you know, you have to put in the practice.”

“Occasionally I cook the odd breakfast, but there’s so much clearing up I’d rather go to a restaurant.”

Tea or Coffee?

“Coffee”

Cats or Dogs?

“Both”

Do you have a ‘can’t live without’ item in your life? Something you’d have to have on a desert island?

“My man-bag” (Jimmy smirks then smiles)

Could you live without the internet?

“No”

Do you believe in luck, or do you think we make our own?

“Well, two answers to that question, as you know we’ve been in some, seen some, quite a bit of gambling in our careers Kevin, with the poker we play with Mark and myself and I think you make your own luck, but when your luck’s in you have to ride it, and you’ve got to know when your luck’s in.”

What is your favourite hobby, not snooker?

“Golf”

What would be your ideal day?

“My ideal day would be, I’d wake up in my place in Thailand, go for a walk on the beach, and go out and have a nice lunch with Phil” (Phil is a close friend of Jimmy)

Favourite film?

“Ohhhh! Tough one…Heavy metal” (1981 Canadian Sci-fi anime fantasy)

Favourite Song?

“Movin’ by Brass Construction”

And Finally…

If you could have lunch with one person, dead or alive, who would it be, and why?

25 COMMENTS

Neil Robert Priest

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Kyler Henton

Hi Jimmy. I just wanted to tell you that in my opinion, you’re one of the greatest players in the game, how you stood up to hendry in those finals takes more bottle than anyone else had.

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Cheers Kyler.

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Gaz

Hey everyone, just wanted to say that right now, it’s 28 sleeps until Santa Claus gets stuck in the chimney because jimmys cues won’t fit down the chimney, They go in the post next day silly santa

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Cheers Gaz

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Anthony

Loved reading that Jimmy. Nice to hear some of your stories. The great WT just visited Swansea for an exhibition. Would love for you to come down.

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Glad you enjoyed it Anthony.

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Mark

Fine looking new site, well done!

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Thanks Mark.

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Rob

Jimmy I watched all of your finals in world championships but I still think 1982 semi with the late great Alex was one of the best games cheers for all the heartache lol

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Thanks for the support Rob.

November 28, 2019 at 6 months ago

Paul Rogers

My favourite player ever and that last answer means the same to me,To have a drink with my dad who passed away a few years back,I know where Jimmy is coming from with that

November 29, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Thanks Paul

November 30, 2019 at 6 months ago

Judith

Yer still one of mah fave players, no one but you deserves to play a few more good tournaments, Jimmy. Always rooting for you. God bless you.

November 29, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Thanks Judith

November 30, 2019 at 6 months ago

Shahid Iqbal

Love the Blog. Straight up honest answers & the love Jimmy has for snooker is there for all to see. That’s why “The Whirlwind” White is the People’s Champion of snooker due to his flamboyant style and his great sportsmanship.

November 29, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Appreciate that Shahid.

November 30, 2019 at 6 months ago

Lewis grayson

Legend of the game, always been a big fan! Also i HIGHLY recommend people buying the whirlwind Eau de Parfum. Its class! Im due to get some more myself!

November 29, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

Thanks For the recommendation Lewis.

November 30, 2019 at 6 months ago

Steve Archer

Still Playing well and a force to be reckoned with 🌪👌🏻

November 29, 2019 at 6 months ago

Jason

You better believe it. Cheers Steve.

November 30, 2019 at 6 months ago

Craig

What is your favourite toilet reading material Jimmy?

December 1, 2019 at 6 months ago

Craig

If it was a calendar for this year for the ladies who would you choose for each month and why? Neil Madigan is my choice for January.

December 1, 2019 at 6 months ago

Ben

Love that. Golf hey, come down to Ifield Golf Club in Crawley, for free lesson, few holes then maybe return favour on our snooker table??